Support for a manikin form



Aug. 3, 1965 L. E. BENNER SUPPORT FOR A MANIKIN FORM Filed June 19, 1964IN VENTOR.

FIE 2 3,198,403 SUPPORT FOR A IN FQRM Lloyd E. Banner, 125 Oak Grove,Minneapolis, Minn. Filed June H, 1964, Ser. No. 376,437 6 @lairns. (Cl.223-66) This invention relates to manikin forms and more specifically tomanikin forms and supports therefor.

An object of this invention is to provide a support for a manikin formof the type used to display wigs, wearing apparel and the like, and inwhich the manikin is supported for ready revolving movement with respectto the support and is also provided for tilting to thereby facilitateuse of the manikin form by a user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a manikin form andsupport therefor in which the support is provided with a ball-socketcoupling and in which the manikin form is connected to the ball-socketconnection by a pinrecess type connection thereby permitting complexadjustable movement of the manikin form relative to the support.

A further object of this invention is to provide a manikin form andsupport therefor of the class described in which the support is providedwith means to releasably but firmly secure the same to a substantiallyflat surface to thereby prevent accidental tipping or the like of themanikin form.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings,

wherein like character references refer to the same or similar partsthroughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the support and the lower portion ofthe manikin form with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a modified form of the support of the manikin form on areduced scale; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale takenapproximately along line 44 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that one embodiment ofthe invention designated in its entirety by the reference numerals 19,is there shown. In the embodiment shown, the manikin form, designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 11, is shaped and contoured tocorrespond generally to the general outline of the human head. Thesupport 12 as illustrated supports the manikin form 11 in spacedrelation with respect to a surface upon which the support is placed.

The manikin form as pointed out above is shaped and contoured tocorrespond generally to the shape of a human head and is specificallyadapted for supporting and displaying wearing apparel, wigs and thelike. The manikin form 11 includes an outer fabric cover 13 which isprovided with a suitable filler material 14. The manikin form 11 andspecifically the fabric cover 13 thereof is closed at its lower end by asuitable lower closure member or plate 15 which, as seen, is formed ofwood or the like. An annular band 16 is secured to the peripheral ormarginal edges of the closure member 15 by suitable securing means suchas screws, nails or the like and serves to clamp the lower edge of thefabric cover 13 against the edges of the closure member.

The closure member 15, as best seen in FIG. 2, has a centrally locatedaperture therein and a generally frustroconically shaped female couplingelement 17 projects through the aperture and into the tiller material 14of the manikin form 11. This female coupling element 1'7 has anoutturned annular flange 18 integrally formed with the lower end thereofand the annular flange 18 is suitably apertured to permit the passage ofsecuringelements such United States Patent as tacks 19 therethrough tofixedly connect the coupling element to the closure member 15. Theinterior of the female coupling element 17 actually defines afrustoconical socket or recess 17a, the purpose of which will be morefully described hereinbelow.

The support 12 is constructed of a suitable rigid material, preferablymetal, and includes a base 20 comprised of a plurality of elongatenormally horizontally oriented base legs 20a, each of which has a rubbersuction attachment cup element 21 secured to the lower surface of theouter end thereof. It will be noted that the legs 20a are integrallyjoined at their respective innermost ends and in the embodiment shownthe base 20 is comprised of three legs 20a so that a three point supportis provided.

'The support base 20 is also provided with a centrally locatedupstanding ball-socket connection 22 which is comprised of a ball member23 and a socket member 24, the socket member 24 being a split typesocket and including a fixed socket element 24a and a movable socketelement 24b. It will be seen that the lower portion of the fixed socketelement 24a is integrally formed with the base 20 and projects upwardlytherefrom and it will also be seen that the respective upper portions ofeach socket element 24a and 24b are arcuately shaped and cooperate Iwith each other to define a generally cylindrically shaped socket 25which receives the ball member 23 therein.

Means are provided for securing the movable socket element 24b to thefixed socket element 24a and this means includes an elongate threadedbolt 26 which projects through registering apertures formed in the fixedand movable socket elements 24a and 24b respectively. The bolt 26 isprovided with an enlarged head and a threaded wing nut 27 threadedlyengages the threaded end thereof and cooperates with the latter todefine the securing means for securing the fixed and movable socketelements together. It is pointed out that the socket elements 24a and2417 may be adjusted relative to each other to be moved into an out ofgripped relation with respect to the ball member 23. Thus the wing nutmay be loosened to allow movement of the ballmember 23 relative to thesocket 25 and the wing nut 27 may thereafter be tightened to cause thesocket elements to be moved into clamped relation with respect to theball member so that the latter may be releasably locked in an adjustedposition.

Referring again to FIG. 1 it will be seen that a U-shaped spring element29 is positioned within the socket 25 with the bight portion of thespring disposed transversely of the socket and with the legs thereofbearing against the fixed socket and the movable socket elementsrespectively. Thus when the wing nut 27 is tightened, this movement isagainst the movement of the U-shaped spring 29. Thus the U-shaped springelement 2? cooperates with the bolt and wing nut assembly to permit thefrictional relationship between the socket member and the ball member tobe variously adjusted.

A generally fnlstro-conically shaped elongate male coupling element 28is rigidly atfixed to the ball member 23 and projects upwardlytherefrom, as best seen in FIG. 2. This male coupling element 28 isshaped and contoured to be received in snug fitting relation within thefrustro-conically shaped recess 17a defined by the female couplingelement 17. The complementary tapered or frustro-conical configurationof the male and female coupling elements provides an effective bearingsurface so that the manikin form 11 may be revolved about thelongitudinal axis defined by the male coupling element 28. Thisconnection while permitting revolving move ment of the manikin formrelative to the ball-socket connection 22 also presents a positive butreleasable interrelation of the manikin form to the support 12.

aneeaos in use, the manikin device it will be positioned upon a supportso that the suction cup elements 21 engage the support and positivelyanchor the base 29 thereupon. Such manikin devices are used to displaywigs, wearing apparel such as hats and the like and are also used ininstruction courses such as hair styling and the like. In the embodimentillustrated, a wig W is shown supported upon the manikin form 11 and itwill be appreciated that to instruct hair styling, the manikin form mustbe capable of adjustment in a plurality of positions. Therefore, if itis desirable to tilt the manikin form, it is merely necessary to loosenthe wing nut locking element 27 and revolve the ball member 23 in thesocket 25 to the desirable angulated position. Thereafter the wing nutelement 27 is tightened to releasably lock the manikin form 11 in theadjusted position.

Further, if it is desirable to revolve the manikin for relative to theball-socket connection 22, it is merely necessary for the operator tograsp the manikin form 11 and twist the same relative to the malecoupling element 23. This particular construction of the support 12 notonly serves to anchor the manikin form upon a support surface but alsopermits an extremely wide range of adjustment of the manikin formrelative to the support 12. Further, the manikin form may be easilyremoved from the support 12 by merely lifting the manikin form from themale coupling element 28. It is again pointed out that this male-femalecoupling between the manikin form and ball member 23 effectivelyinterrelates the manikin form and the support so that accidentaldislodgement of the manikin form is minimized.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be seen that a modified form ofthe support is there shown. In this modification, the support,designated generally by the reference numeral 30, is constructed of asuitable rigid material, preferably metal, and also includes a base 31comprised of a plurality of elongate, normally horizontally orientedbase legs 31a, each of which has a rubber suction cup element 32 securedto the lower surface of the outer end thereof. It will be noted that thelegs 31a are integrally formed and joined at their respective innermostends and in the embodiment shown the base 31 is comprised of three legs31a so that a three point support is provided, as in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

The support base 31 is also provided with a centrally located upstandingball-socket connection which is comprised of a ball member 33 and asocket member 34. It will be seen that the socket member 34 isintegrally formed with the base 31 and is of hollow cylindricalconstruction and defines a generally cylindrically shaped upwardlyopening socket 35 which receives the ball member 33 therein. Since thesocket 35 is slightly larger than the ball member 33 and is also ofupwardly opening construction, a frustro-conical shaped ball engagingelement 36 having an annular flange 37 engages the upper peripheral edgeof the socket member 34 and retains the ball member 33 within the socket35. The annular fiange 37 of this ball engaging element 36 is providedwith suitable apertures which are disposed in registering relation withthreaded apertures in the socket member 34 whereby suitable attachmentbolts 38 secure the ball engaging elernent 36 to the socket member 34.It is pointed out that the ball engaging element 36 including the fiange37 thereof is formed of a suitable plastic material and it is furtherpointed out that the ball member 33 is also formed of a suitable plasticmaterial.

Means are also provided for applying pressure to the lower surface ofthe ball member 33 to vary the frictional contact between the ballmember and the ball engaging element 36. This arrangement permits theball member to be substantially locked or gripped in an adjustedposition but also permits release of the pressure to facilitateadjustment thereof. Referring again to FIG. 4

it will be seen that a ball supporting block member 3? is positionedwithin the socket 35 and is provided with an upwardly facing recess 40in the upper surface thereof. This recess 49 receives a generallyconcavoconvex bail seat element 4-1 also formed of a suitable plasticmaterial and having an arcuate concavity 42 therein for receiving theball member 33. The convex surface of the ball seat element 41corresponds generally to the recess 4% in the ball supporting block 39,as best seen in FIG. 4.

A pair of disc members 43 are positioned against the lower surface ofthe ball supporting block 39 and it will be seen that that portion ofthe base 31 which defines the lower portion of the socket member 34 hasa centrally located threaded aperture 44 therein which receives anelongate threaded pressure applying member therethrough. The lower endportion of the pressure applying member 45 has an enlarged hand grippingportion 4-6 secured thereto to facilitate revolving movementv of thepressure applying member. It will therefore be seen that when thepressure applying member 45 is revolved, this pressure applying memberwill apply upward pressure through the disc 43 and the ball suportingblock 39 to the ball seat element 41 and to the ball member 33 wherebythe latter will be urged against the ball engaging element Thus variablepressure may be applied to the ball member by means of the pressureapplying member 45.

An elongate tapered male coupling element 47 is secured to the ballmember 33 and projects upwardly therefrom as best seen in FIG. 4. Itwill be noted that this male coupling element while being tapered fromthe lower end toward the upper end is of generally triangular crosssectional configuration with the corners of the triangle betwoenadjacent sides being fiat. A threaded attachment element or stem 48 issecured to the lower surface of the male coupling element 47' andreleasably and threadedly engages the corresponding socket in the hallmember 33 to rigidly secure the male coupling element to the ballmember. This male coupling element is adapted to be received within afrustro-conically shaped recess 17a defined by the female couplingelement 17 of the manikin form. The flattened tapered sides of the malecoupling element present three point flattened planar bearing surfacesfor engaging this recess and prevent any tendency of the manikin formfrom rocking or slipping relative to the male coupling element.

It will therefore be seen that when in use, the support 39 may bepositioned upon a surface such as a table or the like, so that thesuction cup elements 32 engage such a supporting surface in grippedrelation therewith. The pressure exerted by the pressure applying member45 wlll have been pre-set to permit a user to forcibly move a manikinform supported on the male coupling element 47. The degree of force tobe used will be predetermined by the amount of pressure applied by thepressure applying member 45, the supporting block 39- and the ball seatelement 41. It is, however, pointed out .1 I tnat the pressure will nosufficient to allow the rnanikin rorrn supporting male coupling elementto 'be retainedinan adjusted position after it is forcibly rotated tosuch a position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a novel manikindevice which because of its wide range of adjustment is highly effectiveas a display device and support for wearing apparel, wigs and the like.

It will also be seen from the preceding paragraphs that my novel deviceis not only of simple and inexpensive construction but functions in amore emcient manner than heretofore known comparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In combination with a manikin form for use insupporting wigs, wearing apparel and the like,

a support comprising a base,

a ball and socket connection releasably and adjustably interconnectingthe manikin form and said base, said connection comprising a ball memberand a socket member adjustably receiving said ball member therein, oneof said members being secured to said base whereby said members arepivotal relative to each other,

releasable locking means on one of said members for releasably lockingsaid ball and socket members against movement with respect to eachother,

and a pair of interengaging coupling elements on one of said members andon said manikin form, one of said coupling elements comprising anelongate pin and the other of said coupling elements comprising anelongate recess receiving said pin therein whereby said manikin form maybe revolved relative to said one member.

2. In combination with a manikin form for use in supporting wigs,wearing apparel and the like,

a support comprising a base having means thereon for releasablyattaching the base to a support surface,

a ball-socket connection releasably and adjustably interconnecting themanikin form and said base, said connection comprising a split socketmember secured to said base and a ball member positioned within saidsocket member for pivotal movement relative thereto,

locking means on said socket member for locking said ball member in anadjusted position,

and a pair of interengaging coupling elements, one

of which is on said ball member and the other element being on saidmanikin form, one of said coupling elements comprising an elongate pinand the other of said elements comprising an elongate recess receivingsaid pin therein whereby said manikin form may be revolved relative tosaid ball member.

3. In combination with a manikin form for use in supporting wigs,wearing apparel and the like,

a support comprising a base,

a ball-socket connection mounted on said base comprising a split socketmember secured to said base and a ball member positioned within saidsocket member for pivotal movement relative thereto,

locking means on said socket member for locking said ball member in anadjusted position, 7

an elongate frusto-conical pin member affixed to said ball member andprojecting upwardly therefrom,

and a frusto-conically shaped recess in said manikin form receiving saidpin therein whereby said manikin form is mounted for tilting andrevolving movement relative to said support.

4. In combination with a manikin form corresponding 1 construction.

9 generally in shape to the outline of a human head and being especiallyadaptable for use in supporting Wlgs,

wearing apparel and the like, said manikin form having a lower surface,

a support comprising a base,

a ball-socket connection including a socket member secured to said base,and a ball member positioned within said socket member for pivotalmovement relative thereto,

locking means on said socket member for releasably locking said ballmember in an adjusted position,

an elongate generally frustro-conically shaped pin element on said ballmember,

and an elongate generally frustro-conically shaped recess in said lowersurface of the manikin form and receiving said pin therein whereby saidmanikin form may be revolved and tilted relative to said support. V

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said socket membercomprises a pair of socket elements detachably secured together anddefining a split socket 6. The structure as defined in claim 4 whereinsaid base includes a plurality of horizontal legs each having meansthereon for releasably attaching the same to a support surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 133,310 11/72Earl 248-415 166,402 8/75' Myers 248-415 654,051 7/00 Brown et a1.248-181 X 683,049 9/01 Johnston 28789 973,635 10/10 Dillingham 287891,013,539 1/12 Faer-ber 223-66 1,198,367 9/16 Manger 248-415 X 1,280,0139/18 Goddard 248-181 1,290,830 '1/ 19 Del Fungo-Giera 248-181 X1,445,803 2/23 Small et a1. 211-144 X 1,464,279 8/23 Hindley 248-1241,829,964 11/ 31 Randel 287-87 2,353,476 7/44 Kiper 287-89 2,362,74611/44 De Vries 248-415 X 2,397,813 4/46 Schramm et a1 223-66 2,453,96711/48 Browne 223-122 2,602,617 7/52 Muth 248-44 X 2,686,647 8/54 Fitch248-188.7 2,746,700 5/56 Barbera 248-44 2,806,289 9/57 Rongaur et a1248-181 X 2,812,614 11/57 Ladyman 1248-1889 2,910,260 10/59 Tanner248-181 3,102,744 9/ 63 Renter et a1. 287-87 3,135,389 6/64 Farley211-37 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A MANIKIN FORM FOR USE IN SUPPORTING WIGS,WEARING APPAREL AND THE LIKE, A SUPPORT COMPRISING A BASE, A BALL ANDSOCKET CONNECTION RELEASABLY AND ADJUSTABLY INTERCONNECTING THE MANIKINFORM AND SAID BASE, SAID CONNECTION COMPRISING A BALL MEMBER AND ASOCKET MEMBER ADJUSTABLY RECEIVING SAID BALL MEMBER THEREIN, ONE OF SAIDMEMBERS BEING SECURED TO SAID BASE WHEREBY SAID MEMBERS ARE PIVOTALRELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS ON ONE OF SAID MEMBERSFOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID BALL AND SOCKET MEMBERS AGAINST MOVEMENTWITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, AND A PAIR OF INTERENGAGING COUPLINGELEMENTS ON ONE OF SAID MEMBERS AND ON SAID MANIKIN FORM, ONE OF SAIDCOUPLING ELEMENTS COMPRISING AN ELONGATE PIN AND THE OTHER OF SAIDCOUPLING ELEMENTS COMPRISING AN ELONGATE RECESS RECEIVING SAID PINTHEREIN WHEREBY SAID MANIKIN FORM MAY BE REVOLVED RELATIVE TO SAID ONEMEMBER.